Nearly 50 Bird Canada electric scooters have been reported stolen from Windsor, Ontario, streets in recent weeks, as confirmed by the micromobility company’s general manager, Patrick Graham. Graham mentioned that the thieves have been dismantling the scooters for parts, with a particular focus on the lithium-ion batteries. He expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the police in addressing the issue.
Despite the thefts, which Graham described as significant given the company’s fleet of around 400 scooters in Windsor, he noted that it has not impacted their service to the city. To maintain operations, Bird has relocated scooters from other locations to compensate for the losses.
Bird’s scooters and e-bikes were reintroduced to Windsor streets earlier this summer following a temporary suspension due to the conclusion of their pilot contract. The company operates in over 20 Canadian cities but has experienced more theft incidents in Windsor compared to other locations, Graham stated.
Attributing the thefts to organized crime groups, Graham highlighted their capacity to quickly disassemble the scooters and sell the stolen parts, including batteries, on the black market or to unknowing recyclers. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence in authorities’ ability to apprehend the culprits, as they have done in similar cases in the past.
In a recent development, Windsor police sought public assistance after seven Bird scooters were stolen in early August. The scooters were found stripped of parts, including their battery components, with one scooter recovered in a dismantled state in a downtown alley. While local businesses selling mobility devices containing lithium-ion batteries were unaware of any related thefts, they emphasized the importance of securing such valuable items.
